§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposal by Mr. Jacques Delors that the European Court could oversee intergovernmental agreements under the Maastricht treaty; what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to Mr. Delors on his proposal; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the relevant documents.
§ Mr. GoodladIn a recent speech on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the European Court of Justice, the President of the Commission expressed the hope that extensive recourse would be had to the possibility of conferring on the court jurisdiction regarding the interpretation and application of international conventions in the field of justice and home affairs. Article K.3(2)(c) of the treaty on European union allows such jurisdiction to be conferred on the Court in relation to a convention concluded under title VI of the treaty if the convention so stipulates.
This will, therefore, be a matter for member states to consider when negotiating any such convention. Unanimity would be needed to include such a provision. No representations have been made to the President of the Commission on this matter. A copy of the speech in question has been placed in the Library of the House.